Burns, Baby Burns
Encyclopedia
"Burns, Baby Burns" is the fourth episode of The Simpsons
' eighth season
, first aired by the Fox network on November 17, 1996. Mr. Burns
' long lost son Larry returns and although they at first get along well, Mr. Burns begins to see that his son has turned out to be an oaf. It was directed by Jim Reardon
and was the first episode written by Ian Maxtone-Graham
. It guest starred Rodney Dangerfield
as Larry Burns.
and Smithers
take a train back to Springfield
after attending the annual Harvard-Yale football game. The train makes a brief stop because of a discarded couch
on the tracks and a man named Larry comes up to the train and tries to hawk cheesy merchandise. He suddenly sees Mr. Burns, gasps and takes out an old picture of a man who looks similar and compares the two. Suddenly the train pulls away, leaving Larry behind. Meanwhile, the Simpson family are on their way home from visiting a cider mill and see Larry hitchhiking. After much discussion, the family picks up the hitchhiker. Larry asks the Simpson family about Mr. Burns and they agree to take Larry to his house. In Springfield, Larry visits Mr. Burns's estate and reveals that he is Burns's son.
Mr. Burns is at first shocked, but after acknowledging the resemblance admits that Larry was the product of a one-night stand with the daughter of a former flame at a college reunion. At first, Mr. Burns is overjoyed to have a son and tries to shape Larry after himself. Burns takes Larry to fancy parties for the rich and tries to have him enrolled in Yale, but Larry keeps acting like an oaf and proves to be an embarrassment. Larry is put to work in Sector 7G at Springfield Nuclear Power Plant alongside Homer and the two become fast friends. Larry invites Homer to dinner, and at dinner, Mr. Burns throws a fit due to Larry's boorishness and tells him that he wishes he had no son. Homer tries to convince Larry to fake a kidnapping so that Burns will admit that he loves his son, and although Larry at first opposes the idea, he eventually agrees to do it. After going through with the plan, Larry moves into the Simpsons' basement. Homer calls Mr. Burns and says that he can have Larry back if he admits that he loves him. Marge eventually discovers the plan and convinces Homer and Larry to abandon their plot, but as they leave the house they are spotted by a news helicopter and are chased by reporters and police.
The two are chased into a cinema where they climb out onto the marquee and have a brief standoff with the police. Homer gives a heartfelt speech to justify Larry's actions and Mr. Burns forgives them for the hoax, but explains he cannot be the father whom Larry needs. Larry says that's okay and announces that he has a wife and kids back home who are probably worrying about him as he had only gone out a week ago for coffee. Burns and Larry say their goodbyes, with Burns musing on the fact there's another kidney out there for him. Larry announces that they should have a party and the episode ends with the people of Springfield dancing outside the movie theater, with music and drinks coming out from nowhere, all to the sound of Journey's "Any Way You Want It
".
Ian Maxtone-Graham
wrote the episode and it was his first The Simpsons writing credit, although he had served as a consultant on the show for several months. Maxtone-Graham had previously worked with showrunners Bill Oakley
and Josh Weinstein
on a game show and the two had wanted to hire him as a writer on The Simpsons. The episode started out as a story about Mr. Burns and Grampa
both being stationed in Paris during World War II
and falling in love with the same woman, who had a love child. Maxtone-Graham had wanted this episode to be about Burns having a child, which is where it went. The other episode idea eventually became "Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in "The Curse of the Flying Hellfish"", which aired in the previous season. The episode opens with the family visiting Mt. Swartzwelder
Historic Cider
Mill because the writers had wanted to do something involving autumn and a cider mill seemed like a good setting for that.
Rodney Dangerfield
guest stars in this episode and was a huge favorite of many of the Simpsons writers. Many of the jokes in the episode were specifically written to be "Dangerfield jokes," which were much tougher to write than the staff had originally thought. Dangerfield had made a few key changes to his script and had left the script and a pen behind after recording his part. Josh Weinstein had kept the script and pen and considers them among his three most prized Simpsons possessions. Designing Larry Burns was a challenge because the director had wanted him to look like Dangerfield but still have Burns's characteristics such as the pointed nose.
After discovering that Larry Burns is also working in Sector 7G, Homer frantically cleans up and puts away an almost entirely assembled jigsaw puzzle
which has an image of Snoopy
the dog lying on his doghouse. The puzzle is missing a piece over where Snoopy's nose should be, which was intentionally drawn that way to avoid copyright laws. The character from Yale that Mr. Burns briefly talks to is based on the fictional character Dink Stover from the book Dink Stover at Yale by Owen Johnson
. The episode contains several references to the film Caddyshack
, such as the scene where Larry tries to fit in with Mr. Burns's associates and the ending street party which also parodies the way that several films, including Caddyshack, end with a party and feature the song "Any Way You Want It
" by Journey
. The episode ends at a movie theater, which is a reference to several famous criminals who were involved with theatres, such as John Dillinger
, Lee Harvey Oswald
and John Wilkes Booth
.
of 7.7, equivalent to approximately 7.5 million viewing households. It was the fourth highest-rated show on the Fox network that week, following The X-Files
, Melrose Place, and Beverly Hills, 90210
.
The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, called it "A fun episode, with Rodney Dangerfield putting a lot of pathos into Larry – and Homer's impassioned speech atop the cinema at the climax is one of his funniest moments."
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
The Simpsons (season 8)
The Simpsons eighth season originally aired between October 27, 1996 and May 18, 1997, beginning with "Treehouse of Horror VII". The show runners for the eighth production season were Bill Oakley and Josh Weinstein. The aired season contained two episodes which were hold-over episodes from season...
, first aired by the Fox network on November 17, 1996. Mr. Burns
Montgomery Burns
Charles Montgomery "Monty" Burns, usually referred to as Mr. Burns, is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer and previously Christopher Collins. Burns is the evil owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and is Homer...
' long lost son Larry returns and although they at first get along well, Mr. Burns begins to see that his son has turned out to be an oaf. It was directed by Jim Reardon
Jim Reardon
Jim Reardon is an animation director and storyboard consultant, best known for his work on the animated TV series The Simpsons. He has directed over 30 episodes of the series, and was credited as a supervising director for seasons 9 through 15...
and was the first episode written by Ian Maxtone-Graham
Ian Maxtone-Graham
Ian Maxtone-Graham is an American television writer and producer. He has written for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons , and has also served as a co-executive producer and consulting producer for The Simpsons...
. It guest starred Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield , was an American comedian, and actor, known for the catchphrases "I don't get no respect!," "No respect, no respect at all... that's the story of my life" or "I get no respect, I tell ya" and his monologues on that theme...
as Larry Burns.
Plot
Mr. BurnsMontgomery Burns
Charles Montgomery "Monty" Burns, usually referred to as Mr. Burns, is a recurring fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer and previously Christopher Collins. Burns is the evil owner of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant and is Homer...
and Smithers
Waylon Smithers
Waylon Smithers, Jr., usually referred to as Smithers, is a recurring fictional character in the animated series The Simpsons, who is voiced by Harry Shearer. Smithers first appeared in the episode "Homer's Odyssey", although he could be heard in the series premiere "Simpsons Roasting on an Open...
take a train back to Springfield
Springfield (The Simpsons)
Springfield is the fictional town in which the American animated sitcom The Simpsons is set. A mid-sized town in an undetermined state of the United States, Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. The geography of the town and its...
after attending the annual Harvard-Yale football game. The train makes a brief stop because of a discarded couch
Couch
A couch, also called a sofa, is an item of furniture designed to seat more than one person, and providing support for the back and arms. Typically, it will have an armrest on either side. In homes couches are normally found in the family room, living room, den or the lounge...
on the tracks and a man named Larry comes up to the train and tries to hawk cheesy merchandise. He suddenly sees Mr. Burns, gasps and takes out an old picture of a man who looks similar and compares the two. Suddenly the train pulls away, leaving Larry behind. Meanwhile, the Simpson family are on their way home from visiting a cider mill and see Larry hitchhiking. After much discussion, the family picks up the hitchhiker. Larry asks the Simpson family about Mr. Burns and they agree to take Larry to his house. In Springfield, Larry visits Mr. Burns's estate and reveals that he is Burns's son.
Mr. Burns is at first shocked, but after acknowledging the resemblance admits that Larry was the product of a one-night stand with the daughter of a former flame at a college reunion. At first, Mr. Burns is overjoyed to have a son and tries to shape Larry after himself. Burns takes Larry to fancy parties for the rich and tries to have him enrolled in Yale, but Larry keeps acting like an oaf and proves to be an embarrassment. Larry is put to work in Sector 7G at Springfield Nuclear Power Plant alongside Homer and the two become fast friends. Larry invites Homer to dinner, and at dinner, Mr. Burns throws a fit due to Larry's boorishness and tells him that he wishes he had no son. Homer tries to convince Larry to fake a kidnapping so that Burns will admit that he loves his son, and although Larry at first opposes the idea, he eventually agrees to do it. After going through with the plan, Larry moves into the Simpsons' basement. Homer calls Mr. Burns and says that he can have Larry back if he admits that he loves him. Marge eventually discovers the plan and convinces Homer and Larry to abandon their plot, but as they leave the house they are spotted by a news helicopter and are chased by reporters and police.
The two are chased into a cinema where they climb out onto the marquee and have a brief standoff with the police. Homer gives a heartfelt speech to justify Larry's actions and Mr. Burns forgives them for the hoax, but explains he cannot be the father whom Larry needs. Larry says that's okay and announces that he has a wife and kids back home who are probably worrying about him as he had only gone out a week ago for coffee. Burns and Larry say their goodbyes, with Burns musing on the fact there's another kidney out there for him. Larry announces that they should have a party and the episode ends with the people of Springfield dancing outside the movie theater, with music and drinks coming out from nowhere, all to the sound of Journey's "Any Way You Want It
Any Way You Want It
"Any Way You Want It" is a popular song performed by Journey released on the album Departure as the opening track, as a single in 1980 and was rerecorded with Arnel Pineda and Deen Castronovo for their 2008 album Revelation. The song was written by frontman Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon....
".
Production
Ian Maxtone-Graham
Ian Maxtone-Graham is an American television writer and producer. He has written for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons , and has also served as a co-executive producer and consulting producer for The Simpsons...
wrote the episode and it was his first The Simpsons writing credit, although he had served as a consultant on the show for several months. Maxtone-Graham had previously worked with showrunners Bill Oakley
Bill Oakley
Bill Oakley is an American television writer and producer, known for his work on the animated comedy series The Simpsons. Oakley and Josh Weinstein became best friends and writing partners at high school; Oakley then attended Harvard University and was Vice President of the Harvard Lampoon...
and Josh Weinstein
Josh Weinstein
Josh Weinstein is an American television writer and producer, known for his work on the animated comedy series The Simpsons. Weinstein and Bill Oakley became best friends and writing partners at St. Albans High School; Weinstein then attended Stanford University and was editor-in-chief of the...
on a game show and the two had wanted to hire him as a writer on The Simpsons. The episode started out as a story about Mr. Burns and Grampa
Abraham Simpson
Abraham J. "Abe" Simpson, often known simply as Grampa, is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and he is also the patriarch of the Simpson family, the father of Homer Simpson, and the grandfather of Bart, Lisa, and Maggie Simpson...
both being stationed in Paris during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and falling in love with the same woman, who had a love child. Maxtone-Graham had wanted this episode to be about Burns having a child, which is where it went. The other episode idea eventually became "Raging Abe Simpson and His Grumbling Grandson in "The Curse of the Flying Hellfish"", which aired in the previous season. The episode opens with the family visiting Mt. Swartzwelder
John Swartzwelder
John Swartzwelder is an American comedy writer and novelist, best known for his work on the animated television series The Simpsons, as well as a number of novels. He is credited with writing the largest number of Simpsons episodes by a large margin...
Historic Cider
Cider
Cider or cyder is a fermented alcoholic beverage made from apple juice. Cider varies in alcohol content from 2% abv to 8.5% abv or more in traditional English ciders. In some regions, such as Germany and America, cider may be termed "apple wine"...
Mill because the writers had wanted to do something involving autumn and a cider mill seemed like a good setting for that.
Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield
Rodney Dangerfield , was an American comedian, and actor, known for the catchphrases "I don't get no respect!," "No respect, no respect at all... that's the story of my life" or "I get no respect, I tell ya" and his monologues on that theme...
guest stars in this episode and was a huge favorite of many of the Simpsons writers. Many of the jokes in the episode were specifically written to be "Dangerfield jokes," which were much tougher to write than the staff had originally thought. Dangerfield had made a few key changes to his script and had left the script and a pen behind after recording his part. Josh Weinstein had kept the script and pen and considers them among his three most prized Simpsons possessions. Designing Larry Burns was a challenge because the director had wanted him to look like Dangerfield but still have Burns's characteristics such as the pointed nose.
Cultural references
Jigsaw puzzle
A jigsaw puzzle is a tiling puzzle that requires the assembly of numerous small, often oddly shaped, interlocking and tessellating pieces.Each piece usually has a small part of a picture on it; when complete, a jigsaw puzzle produces a complete picture...
which has an image of Snoopy
Snoopy
Snoopy is an fictional character in the long-running comic strip Peanuts, by Charles M. Schulz. He is Charlie Brown's pet beagle. Snoopy began his life in the strip as a fairly conventional dog, but eventually evolved into perhaps the strip's most dynamic character—and among the most recognizable...
the dog lying on his doghouse. The puzzle is missing a piece over where Snoopy's nose should be, which was intentionally drawn that way to avoid copyright laws. The character from Yale that Mr. Burns briefly talks to is based on the fictional character Dink Stover from the book Dink Stover at Yale by Owen Johnson
Owen Johnson
Owen McMahon Johnson was an American writer best remembered for his stories and novels cataloguing the educational and personal growth of the fictional character Dink Stover....
. The episode contains several references to the film Caddyshack
Caddyshack
Caddyshack is a 1980 American comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and written by Brian Doyle-Murray, Ramis, and Douglas Kenney. It stars Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, Ted Knight, Michael O'Keefe, Cindy Morgan, and Bill Murray...
, such as the scene where Larry tries to fit in with Mr. Burns's associates and the ending street party which also parodies the way that several films, including Caddyshack, end with a party and feature the song "Any Way You Want It
Any Way You Want It
"Any Way You Want It" is a popular song performed by Journey released on the album Departure as the opening track, as a single in 1980 and was rerecorded with Arnel Pineda and Deen Castronovo for their 2008 album Revelation. The song was written by frontman Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon....
" by Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
. The episode ends at a movie theater, which is a reference to several famous criminals who were involved with theatres, such as John Dillinger
John Dillinger
John Herbert Dillinger, Jr. was an American bank robber in Depression-era United States. He was charged with, but never convicted of, the murder of an East Chicago, Indiana police officer during a shoot-out. This was his only alleged homicide. His gang robbed two dozen banks and four police stations...
, Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald
Lee Harvey Oswald was, according to four government investigations,These were investigations by: the Federal Bureau of Investigation , the Warren Commission , the House Select Committee on Assassinations , and the Dallas Police Department. the sniper who assassinated John F...
and John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth
John Wilkes Booth was an American stage actor who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 1865. Booth was a member of the prominent 19th century Booth theatrical family from Maryland and, by the 1860s, was a well-known actor...
.
Reception
In its original broadcast, "Burns, Baby Burns" finished 64th in ratings for the week of November 11-17, 1996, with a Nielsen ratingNielsen Ratings
Nielsen ratings are the audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research, in an effort to determine the audience size and composition of television programming in the United States...
of 7.7, equivalent to approximately 7.5 million viewing households. It was the fourth highest-rated show on the Fox network that week, following The X-Files
The X-Files
The X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
, Melrose Place, and Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210
Beverly Hills, 90210 is an American drama series that originally aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Fox and was produced by Spelling Television in the United States, and subsequently on various networks around the world. It is the first series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise...
.
The authors of the book I Can't Believe It's a Bigger and Better Updated Unofficial Simpsons Guide, Warren Martyn and Adrian Wood, called it "A fun episode, with Rodney Dangerfield putting a lot of pathos into Larry – and Homer's impassioned speech atop the cinema at the climax is one of his funniest moments."
External links
- "Burns, Baby Burns" at The Simpsons.com